Hastings: With Council secures maiden victory in Ascot Graduation

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - With Council was a maiden going into the $75,000 Ascot Graduation for 2-year-olds at Hasting on Saturday, but he emerged a stakes winner with a strong late move to defeat Lord Henry by 1 1/2 lengths. He was no surprise, however, and paid $8.70 as the second choice in the wagering behind Heresomelucky, who finished third.

With Frank Fuentes aboard, With Council was sitting well off the pace while saving ground during the early stages of the 1 1/16-mile and feature. He started to move into contention on the stretch turn and then angled outside of Lord Henry and Herescomelucky while making his winning move coming into the stretch.

“Everyone else was going wide so I thought I would take a shot along the rail and hoped it would open up,” said Fuentes. “I had a lot of horse the whole way. When I saw it clear on the backstretch I asked him a little bit and he just went on. I knew all along he was bred to go long and that he would improve when he stretched out.”

The final time was 1:46.17.

A Kentucky-bred gelding by Lawyer Ron, With Council is trained by Dino Condilenios.

Gabigotherway wrapped up local 2-year-old filly honors with a dominating 5 1/4-length win over Five Yard Penalty in the $75,000 Fantasy Stakes.

Breaking alertly with Richard Hamel aboard, Gabigotherway sat just off Morrie’s Glory through moderate fractions of :24.73 and :50.31 seconds. She took the lead after six furlongs in 1:15.24 and cruised home in the 1 1/16-mile race, covering the distance in 1:45.91..

Trained by John Morrison, Gabigotherway paid $3.40 as the heavy favorite.

Jockey Amadeo Perez won the first three races, including the $50,000 Sales Stakes for 3-year-old fillies with La Belle Rose ($10).. Perez also won the last race on the 10-race card.

Perez had La Belle Rose in a stalking position before moving her up to take the lead at the six-furlong mark. She went into the stretch with a head advantage over Pigtails and then drew off to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 3 ¼ lengths over Pigtails. Embankment made a late move to finish third

The final time was 1:45.76.

A $7,500 claim by trainer William La Vanway when she debuted at Emerald Downs last year, La Belle Rose earned $30,000 for Corsair Holdings, bringing her career earnings to $75,850.